Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking in Persons in Liberia Desk Review Report

During the fourteen-year period of conflict and civil war between 1989 and 2003, rape and sexual violence were weaponized, capitalizing on gender norms and attitudes that left women acutely vulnerable to violence and abuse. Since the war's end, Liberia has grappled with how to reconcile this legacy of violence while navigating the foundational inequalities that fostered it. Further, trafficking in persons (TIP) has been a growing concern in Liberia, with Liberia classified as a Tier 2 Watchlist country on the United States Department of State's (DoS) TIP Report for the third consecutive year. Rape is one of the defining characteristics of the 14-year civil war in Liberia, with widespread sexual violence by combatants resulting in women and girls being forced into sexual slavery and subjected to brutal acts of sexual violence. Prevalence data varies widely, with some reports suggesting nearly three of four women in the areas worst-affected by the war had been raped, but methodological weaknesses cast doubt on these data. A more rigorous nationally representative survey found 1.7 percent of respondents reported having been raped in their lifetimes. Child sexual abuse and exploitation are also significant concerns in Liberia. Children are vulnerable to exploitation in various settings, including schools, homes, and communities. The prevalence of child sexual abuse and exploitation is difficult to quantify due to underreporting and lack of data. However, it is clear that children are at risk of being exploited and abused, and that this exploitation can have long-lasting and devastating effects on their physical and emotional well-being. Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and marital rape are also prevalent in Liberia. Women and girls are often subjected to violence and abuse within their own homes, with perpetrators frequently being family members or intimate partners. The culture of impunity surrounding these forms of violence makes it difficult for survivors to report their experiences and seek help. Structural inequalities and power imbalances within households and communities contribute to the prevalence of these forms of violence. Trafficking in persons is a significant concern in Liberia, with various forms of trafficking occurring, including labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and bonded labor. The country's vulnerability to trafficking is exacerbated by poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and limited access to education and job skills. The government of Liberia has taken steps to address trafficking, including the establishment of a national anti-trafficking task force and the development of a national action plan to combat trafficking. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of trafficking and to provide support to victims. The overlap between SGBV and TIP is a critical issue in Liberia. Survivors of SGBV are often at risk of being trafficked, and those who are trafficked may also experience SGBV. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the complex relationships between SGBV and TIP. This approach must involve the government, civil society, and the private sector working together to prevent SGBV and TIP, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. The desk review synthesizes existing research on SGBV and TIP in Liberia to provide evidence for the design and implementation of future United States Government (USG) strategies and programming. The report will help the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Liberia identify appropriate actions through new and existing activities and partnerships that USG entities can leverage to address these critical issues.